Open Container Law
4301.62 Opened container of beer or intoxicating liquor prohibited at certain premises.
- (A) As used in this section:
- (1) Chauffeured limousine" means a vehicle registered under section
4503.24 of the Revised Code.
- (2) "Street," "highway," and "motor vehicle" have the same meanings
as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.
- (B) No person shall have in the person's possession an opened container
of beer or intoxicating liquor in any of the following circumstances:
- (1) In a state liquor store;
- (2) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, on the premises
of the holder of any permit issued by the division of liquor control;
- (3) In any other public place;
- (4) Except as provided in division (D) or (E) of this section, while
operating or being a passenger in or on a motor vehicle on any street, highway,
or other public or private property open to the public for purposes of vehicular
travel or parking;
- (5) Except as provided in division (D) or (E) of this section, while
being in or on a stationary motor vehicle on any street, highway, or other public
or private property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking.
- (C) A person may have in the person's possession an opened container
of any of the following:
- (1)(a) Beer or intoxicating liquor that has been lawfully
purchased for consumption on the premises where bought from the holder of an A-1-A,
A-2, D-1, D-2, D-3, D-3a, D-4, D-4a, D-5, D-5a, D-5b, D-5c, D-5d,
D-5e, D-5f, D-5g, D-5h, D-5i, D-5j, D-5k, D-7, D-8, E, F, F-2, or F-5 permit;
- (b) Beer, wine, or mixed beverages served for consumption
on the premises by the holder of an F-3 permit or wine served for consumption on
the premises by the holder of an F-4 or F-6 permit;
- (c) Beer or intoxicating liquor consumed on the premises
of a convention facility as provided in section 4303.201 of the Revised Code;
- (d) Beer or intoxicating liquor to be consumed during
tastings and samplings approved by rule of the liquor control commission.
- (2) A person may have in the person's possession on an F liquor permit
premises an opened container of beer or intoxicating liquor that was not purchased
from the holder of the F permit if the premises for which the F permit is issued
is a music festival and the holder of the F permit grants permission for that possession
on the premises during the period for which the F permit is issued. As used in this
division, "music festival" means a series of outdoor live musical performances,
extending for a period of at least three consecutive days and located on an area
of land of at least forty acres.
- (3)(a) A person may have in the person's possession on a D-2 liquor
permit premises an opened orunopened container of wine that was not purchased from
the holder of the D-2 permit if the premises for which the D-2 permit is issued
is an outdoor performing arts center, the person is attending an orchestral performance,
and the holder of the D-2 permit grants permission for the possession and consumption
of wine in certain predesignated areas of the premises during the periodfor which
the D-2 permit is issued.
- (b) As used in division (C)(3)(a) of this section:
- (i) "Orchestral performance" means a concert comprised
of a group of not fewer than forty musicians playing various musical instruments.
- (ii) "Outdoor performing arts center" means an outdoor
performing arts center that is located on not less than eight hundred acres of land
and that is open for performances from the first day of April
to the last day of October of each year.
- (D) This section does not apply to a person who pays all or a portion
of the fee imposed for the use of a chauffeured limousine pursuant to a prearranged
contract, or the guest of the person, when all of the following apply:
- (1) The person or guest is a passenger in the limousine.
- (2) The person or guest is located in the limousine, but is not occupying
a seat in the front compartment of the limousine where the operator of the limousine
is located.
- (3) The limousine is located on any street, highway, or other public
or private property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking.
- (E) An opened bottle of wine that was purchased from the holder of
a permit that authorizes the sale of wine for consumption on the premises where
sold is not an opened container for the purposes of this section if both of the
following apply:
- (1) The opened bottle of wine is securely resealed by the permit holder
or an employee of the permit holder before the bottle is removed from the premises.
The bottle shall be secured in such a manner that it is visibly apparent if the
bottle has been subsequently opened or tampered with.
- (2) The opened bottle of wine that is resealed in accordance with division
(E)(1) of this section is stored in the trunk of a motor vehicle or, if the motor
vehicle does not have a trunk, behind the last upright seat or in an area not normally
occupied by the driver or passengers and not easily accessible by the driver.
Effective Date: 04-07-2004; 09-21-2006
Ohio liquor laws and rules can be accessed through the Division's website at
http://www.com.ohio.gov/liqr/
Please note that the above information is intended to serve as general guidance as
we do not presume to offer legal advice. Each situation is unique and only an attorney
retained by a client on a specific matter can be aware of the totality of facts
and circumstances necessary to provide comprehensive and thorough legal advice.